About Me

I worked at the World's Biggest Bookstore in Toronto for 10 years, until it closed in 2014. During my time there I planned themed endcaps and did author interview displays.
From September 2010 until December 2012 I contributed book reviews and New Author Spotlight posts to SF Signal. From August 2013 to May 2014 I did a Recommended Reading with Professionals column there once or twice a month.
I've got a BA in Medieval History from the University of Toronto.
I'm a long time crafter and have been card crafting for a few years, first using photos I took and now using lots of stamps and fun embellishments.
Contact me at:
jessica.strider (at) gmail (dot) com

Book Review Requests

I'm trying to reduce the number of physical books cluttering my bookshelves and floor, so I won't be accepting many new review books. I'm also being much harsher than usual when reading, giving books about 50 pages to wow me before I move on to the next one.

If I finish the book I will review it. Positive reviews are posted around the web (Amazon.ca, Goodreads, and LibraryThing). Negative reviews are only posted to my blog.

Friday, 11 November 2011

It occurred to me a few months ago that there are a large number of mystery novels that have paranormal elements, enough so that they're almost urban fantasy (just with the emphasis on the mystery). Here's a list I compiled for an endcap at the store. It's not comprehensive, but it's a good starting place if you want something a little different from the traditional urban fantasy read. I tried to get the first book in each series, but mistakes happen, so I apologize in advance for any errors. Victoria Laurie and Sue Ann Jaffarian have 2 series that fit this criteria, hence why there are two books by their names. And just for fun I added in a few general fiction novels that rely heavily on psychic phenomenon. (Note: I've added some new titles since first publishing this list)

Work of the Angels – Kat GoldringGhost of a Chance - Simon Green Mind Over Monster - Jennifer Harlow

Grave Sight – Charlaine Harris

The Cowboy and the Vampire – Clark Hays & Kathleen McFall

Touching Evil – Kay Hooper

Murder in Vein, Ghost A La Mode – Sue Ann Jaffarian

First Grave on the Right – Darynda Jones

Carpe Demon – Julie Kenner

The Ghost and the Dead Man's Library – Alice Kimberly

Addy Cooper: Psychic Eye, What's a Ghoul To Do? – Victoria Laurie

Desolate Angel – Chaz McGee

Crossfire – Miyuki Miyabe

Cosmic Clues – Manjiri Prabhu

Death in the Cards – Sharon Short

High Priestess – David Skibbins

Dracula's Heir: An Interactive Mystery – Sam Stall

Thru Violet Eyes – Stephen Woodworth

And from the comments:

Marilynn Byerly [I've found the first books in the series she mentions and listed them here along with my paraphrasing of her comments about series when needed]:Phantom Evil, Ghost Shadow, The Death Dealer, etc. - Heather Graham (her books are marketed as paranormal romantic suspense, but are really paranormal mysteries)